'State of Israel' does not exist, has no capital: Hamas leader

Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh (L) and Hamas' leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar wave during a rally marking the 30th anniversary of the founding of the movement, in Gaza City, on December 14, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The leader of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, has strongly condemned the recent decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize Israeli-occupied Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of the Tel Aviv regime, stressing that the so-called ‘state of Israel’ does not exist and cannot have a capital of its own.

Addressing Hamas supporters on the 30th anniversary of the founding of the movement in Gaza City on Thursday afternoon, Ismail Haniyeh lauded the sacrifices made by members of the resistance movement to keep the Palestinian cause alive.

“Hamas was created in order to defend Palestine; and occupied Jerusalem al-Quds in particular,” he pointed out.

Haniyeh went on to say that all freedom-loving people of the world supported the cause of Palestine as well as al-Quds.

The senior Palestinian political figure then hailed Palestinians’ resistance against the new Israeli-US plot, saying, “Unity in the face of the US scheme on [Jerusalem] al-Quds is a victory for the Palestinian nation.”

“Al-Quds Jerusalem belongs to the entire world,” he noted, calling for mass protest rallies worldwide in order to force Washington to reverse its decision on the city.

“No power in the world can change the identity of al-Quds. The state of Israel does not exist and therefore cannot have a capital. We will sacrifice our blood and life for al-Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque,” Haniyeh pointed out.

A Palestinian flag flies as Hamas supporters take part in a rally marking the 30th anniversary of the movement's founding in Gaza City on December 14, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

He said Palestinians could quash Trump’s decision, emphasizing that the Muslim world would not allow such a move to proceed.

“Palestinians must achieve unity through mutual respect. They must be able to live in the Gaza Strip in a dignified manner,” the Hamas leader commented.

Haniyeh also demanded the formation of a strong alliance in the Middle East region in order to fight for the Palestinian cause and also urged formulation of a clear strategy to confront the occupying regime of Israel.

“The Palestinian intidafa (uprising) must continue. Every Friday must be the “Day of Rage” against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and to condemn Trump’s decision on al-Quds,” he stated.

Haniyeh called upon Muslims and Christians in every part of the world to come together and protect the sacred sites in Jerusalem al-Quds.

On December 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.

Protesters are seen near the US embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on December 10, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

On Sunday, violent clashes erupted outside the US embassy in the Lebanese capital city of Beirut during a protest against the US president’s decision. Demonstrators burnt tires as well as the US and Israeli flags as they pushed to break through a barbed wire erected by security forces around the embassy complex.

Security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the angry protesters.

Jerusalem al-Quds remains at the core of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians hoping that the eastern part of the city would eventually serve as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.